Purpose: To survey the electroretinographic (ERG) performance of 17 inbred strains of mice using an ERG system designed for small rodents. Data and metadata are available on the Chang1 project page.

Contents and useful links Animal documentation General information about mice Workflow and sampling Equipment Reagents, supplies, and solutions Procedure Data References General information about mice Sex Both Strain coverage & sample sizes 17 inbred strains see table Test ages >7 wks Workflow and sampling Workflow Test Procedure performed Equipment Age (wk) Data collected 1 Mice are examined grossly for overall health, appearance, and signs of generalized developmental problems none 6-7 -* 2 Anterior segment of the eye is visually assessed slit-lamp 6-7 -* 3 Mice are given 1% atropine sulfate to dilate their eyes - 6-7 - 4 Posterior segment of the eye is visually assessed indirect ophthalmoscope and diopter condensing lens 6-7 -* 5 Mice are dark-adapted to measure rods response to different light stimulation ERG 6-7 a-wave and b-wave amplitudes (µV) 6 Mice are light-adapted to measure cones response to different light stimulation ERG 6-7 b-wave amplitude (µV) 7 Measure right eye diameter caliper 6-7 eye diameter (mm) -* For available data see Hawes1. Equipment Dark box, for excluding ambient light during ERG testing Eye Dome, S. Nusinowitz, Visual Physiology Laboratory,UCLA, USA Figure 1A: A snap-shot of the ERG system. Figure 1B: Close-up of the stimulator and the light filter holder. Figure 1C: The various individual filters used. Figure 1D: Light amplifiers and control units. Photic Stimulator, FLC-33A, Astro-Med, Inc., Grass Product Group, Warwick, RI Amplifier, AC, CP511, Astro-Med, Inc., Grass Product Group, Warwick, RI Wratten (light stimulator) filter (# 47A) Red Light Bulb, 25W, type Mexico, Philips Corporation, USA Red transparent paper Kodak Wratten Gelatin Filter # 47A Headlamp, Petzel, Inc. USA I/O board, National Instruments, Lab PCI-1200 Heating Pad, Baxter K Mod 100, Baxter Laboratory Equipment Electrodes, F-E2, platinum sub-dermal needle electrodes Astro-Med, Inc., Grass Product Group, Warwick, RI Gold wire (99.9%), 0.508 mm (Jewelry Store) Gold loop electrodes for recording and reference; they are made by S. Nusinowitz, Visual Physiology Laboratory, UCLA, USA and consist of modified platinum electrodes to which a gold wire loop has been attached. Custom software for data analysis, S. Nusinowitz, Visual Physiology Laboratory, UCLA, USA Digital hand calipers (Stoelting, Wood Dale, IL, USA) Figure 2A: Close-up of the ERG set-up (red cable/electrode on the left = negative; red cable/electrode on the right = ground) with a heating pad in place. Figure 2B: Closer view of the corneal (positive) electrode. Figure 2C: The ERG signal amplifier. Figure 2D: Shows the out-put screen using customized software for data analysis. Reagents, supplies, solutions Atropine Sulphate 1%, Alcon Laboratories,USA Cyclomydril, Alcon Laboratories,USA Ketaset Hydrochloride, 100mg/ml, Fort Dodge Animal Health Xylazine, 20mg/ml, Phoenix Pharmaceutical, MO Goniosol, Ciba Ophthalmics, USA 1% cyclopentolate: for pupilary dilation. Working Solution 0.6 mL Ketaset 1 mL Xylazine 3.4 mL saline Anesthetic combination: 0.46 mg xylazine + 0.72 mg ketamine subcutaneous (s.q). (for a 30 g mouse) Acclimation to test conditions In general all mice are dark-adapted for at least 2 hrs before obtaining electroretinograms (ERGs). Procedure Primary clinical assessment for gross eye abnormalities a. Visual inspection for gross eye abnormalities is conducted by examining the eyelids, the entire globe of the eye, the cornea, and the iris. b. Corneal clarity, size (bupthalmos vs. microcornea), surface texture, and vascularization is assessed using a Nikon biomicroscope (slit lamp) attached to a microscope with a 40x objective. c. The iris is checked for pupil size, maximal constriction with light exposure, reflected luminescence, and for the presence of atrophy and synechia (adhesion). d. Any observed abnormalities are documented with photographic images of the afflicted area. e. The eye is then dilated with 1% atropine and the lens is checked for cataract formation and pseudoexfoliation using a slit lamp. f. An indirect ophthalmoscope is used to examine the fundus for signs of retinal degeneration, such as retinal vessel constriction or retinal pigment epithelial disturbance, or for other problems, such as drusen or deposits, structural or optic nervehead anomalies, vitreal abnormalities, and/or abnormal vascularization, using 60 or 90 Diopter double aspheric lenses. g. Fundus photographs are then taken of the observed defects using a Kowa Genesis small animal fundus camera. Secondary screen using electroretinography (ERG) a. In preparation for the ERG, mice are kept in a dark room (dark-adapted) for at least 2 hrs. b. In the testing room light sources are turned off or covered with red colored transparent plastic. c. A red light bulb is used to illuminate the room. d. Mice are weighed, and 1 drop of Atropine and 1 drop of Cyclomydril (ophthalmic solutions) is applied to dilate the right eye (induce mydriasis). e. Long-acting anesthetic combination made up of Ketaset/Xylazine /saline solution is injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 0.1 mL/20 g bw. f. Once the pupil is dilated and the anesthetic agents have taken affect, the mouse is placed on a heating pad (38°C, Figure 2A). Figure 3A: Shows a custom-built dark-box in closed position during ERG testing. Figure 3B: Showing the ERG set-up and the dark-box in open position. Figure 3C: Shows a close-up of the ERG set-up staged for testing. Figure 3D: Shows the measurement of the eye diameter using a handheld caliper. Figure 4: Diameter measurement of the eye. g. Three electrodes are then attached: (1) the ground electrode is clipped to the tail, (2) the reference electrode is inserted in the mouth, and (3) the recording electrode is placed on the surface of the right cornea (see Figure 2 above). h. To moisten the cornea and assure electrode contact, 1 drop of Goniosol is applied. i. The rod test is performed with a short-wavelength Wratten filter (# 47A) using stimulation intensities of 1, 4, 8 (lumen sec/ft2), flash duration 10.25 s, and 0.2HZ frequency, see Figure 5 below). Figure 5A to 5C: Examples of light stimulus using different filter and light intensity. j. The subsequent cone test is performed with the Dome light 'ON'. k. The mice are allowed a 10-minute light-adaptation time. l. Cones are then tested with white flashes at flash intensities of 16, 8, or 4, at 1.0 Hz (see Figure 5 above). m. Following ERG recording, the electrodes are removed and the right eye diameter is obtained using handheld caliper (see Figures 3D and 4). Figure 6: Graphic examples of a normal rods ERG and cones ERG. The a-wave is the initial downward deflection and the b-wave is the subsequent upward deflection following light stimulation.The amplitudes of the waves are positively correlated with vision. Data collected by investigator Mouse electroretinograms (ERG): rods A and B waves, and cones A and B waves. Eye diameter. Data available through MPD Field descriptions and units Project data set (Chang1) Useful resources Reference values: C57BL/6J strain ERGs and eye diameter at 2-6 wks of age 13 additional strains ERGs For additional information on mouse eyes see the Eye Mutant Resource. MPD Hawes1: Morphological examination of the eye in 41 inbred strains of mice. References Chang B, Hawes NL, Pardue MT, German AM, Hurd RE, Davisson MT, Nusinowitz S, Rengarajan K, Boyd AP, Sidney SS, Phillips MJ, Stewart RE, Chaudhury R, Nickerson JM, Heckenlively JR, Boatright JH. Two mouse retinal degenerations caused by missense mutations in the beta-subunit of rod cGMP phosphodiesterase gene. Vision Res. 2007 Mar;47(5):624-33. Epub 2007 Jan 30. Pubmed 17267005 Chang B, Dacey MS, Hawes NL, Hitchcock PF, Milam AH, Atmaca-Sonmez P, Nusinowitz S, Heckenlively JR. Cone photoreceptor function loss-3, a novel mouse model of achromatopsia due to a mutation in Gnat2. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Nov;47(11):5017-21. Pubmed 17065522 Chang B, Hawes NL, Hurd RE, Wang J, Howell D, Davisson MT, Roderick TH, Nusinowitz S, Heckenlively JR. Mouse models of ocular diseases. Vis Neurosci. 2005 Sep-Oct;22(5):587-93. Pubmed 16332269 Chang B, Hawes NL, Hurd RE, Davisson MT, Nusinowitz S, Heckenlively JR. Retinal degeneration mutants in the mouse. Vision Res. 2002 Feb;42(4):517-25. Pubmed 11853768 Chang B, Hawes NL, Hurd RE, Wang J, Howell D, Davisson MT, Roderick TH, Nusinowitz S, Heckenlively JR. Mouse models of ocular diseases. Vis Neurosci. 2005 Sep-Oct;22(5):587-93. Pubmed 16332269 Hawes NL, Smith RS, Chang B, Davisson M, Heckenlively JR, John SW. Mouse fundus photography and angiography: a catalogue of normal and mutant phenotypes. Mol Vis. 1999 Sep 15;5:22. Pubmed 10493779 Kitamura E, Danciger M, Yamashita C, Rao NP, Nusinowitz S, Chang B, Farber DB. Disruption of the gene encoding the beta1-subunit of transducin in the Rd4/+ mouse. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Apr;47(4):1293-301. Pubmed 16565360 Lei B, Yao G, Zhang K, Hofeldt KJ, Chang B. Study of rod- and cone-driven oscillatory potentials in mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Jun;47(6):2732-8. Pubmed 16723493 Lyons BL, Smith RS, Hurd RE, Hawes NL, Burzenski LM, Nusinowitz S, Hasham MG, Chang B, Shultz LD. Deficiency of SHP-1 protein-tyrosine phosphatase in "viable motheaten" mice results in retinal degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2006 Mar;47(3):1201-9. Pubmed 16505059 Pang JJ, Chang B, Hawes NL, Hurd RE, Davisson MT, Li J, Noorwez SM, Malhotra R, McDowell JH, Kaushal S, Hauswirth WW, Nusinowitz S, Thompson DA, Heckenlively JR. Retinal degeneration 12 (rd12): a new, spontaneously arising mouse model for human Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Mol Vis. 2005 Feb 28;11:152-62. Pubmed 15765048 Roderick TH, Chang B, Hawes NL, Heckenlively JR. A new dominant retinal degeneration (Rd4) associated with a chromosomal inversion in the mouse. Genomics. 1997 Jun 15;42(3):393-6. Pubmed 9205110

Compiled by MPD staff based on submitted information, publications, and recommendations by the contributing investigator. Correspondence: phenome@jax.org

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